INTRODUCTION: Scant information remains regarding the outcome of babies who tested positive for COVID-19 at birth beyond two months of age. This study determined the outcome of infants at 8-12 months old who tested positive for COVID-19 at birth. METHODS: This is a non-concurrent cohort study. A review of medical records at birth and at wellness check at 8-12 months was done. The weight, Z-scores, episodes of upper respiratory tract infection and number of non-routine consults were compared between the babies who tested positive at birth with those whose test was negative for COVID-19. Asymptotic 2-tailed p value = 0.05 determined significance of differences of variables. RESULTS: From August to October 2020, 31 newborns tested positive for COVID-19; 31 tested negative, and all had an unremarkable outcome at birth. Nine (p = 0.001) mothers tested positive for COVID-19. COVID-19 babies weighed statistically significantly less than the non-COVID-19 babies (8.5 + 0.87 vs 9.7 + 0.89 kg, p = 0.010) at 8-12 months. There was no statistically significant difference when the z-scores were considered (p = 0.313). As of last wellness check, babies who tested positive at birth had more episodes of upper respiratory tract infections (19.6% vs none, p= 0.010) and non-routine consultations. CONCLUSION Twenty nine percent of newborns tested positive if mothers tested positive for COVID-19. At 8-12 months old, babies who tested positive for COVID-19 at birth had more episodes of upper respiratory tract infections.

INTRODUCTION: In the face of unchanging high rates of stunting among 12-23 months old Filipino babies, sustaining exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months old remains a challenge. This study determined the effect of a breastfeeding reminder system on breastfeeding. METHODS: This is a quasi-experimental study. Mothers were regularly given breastfeeding reminders by SMS and phone call. The weight, body length, episodes of upper respiratory tract infection and diarrhea were compared between the babies who were given exclusive breastfeeding and those whose exclusive breastfeeding was not sustained. Pearson Chi – square test and t-test at p=0.05 determined significance of differences of variables. RESULTS: From March- October 2020, there were 450 babies included in the study. Of these babies, 44.8% were given exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months. Timely initiation of breastfeeding was practiced by 91.95% of the mothers in the study. Babies who did not receive exclusive breastfeeding were shorter than those who received exclusive breastfeeding at 1 year old (70.11cm +2.78 vs.75.47cm +1.41, p<0.001) and at 2 years old (80.89 cm +2.30 vs. 87.29cm +1.47, p<0.001). At 2 years old, babies who received exclusive breastfeeding had no episodes of diarrhea and minimal (2%, p<0.001) episodes of acute respiratory infections. CONCLUSION Due to the implementation of the reminder system, the percentage of babies exclusively breastfed up to 6 months of age increased to 44%. This is a significant improvement compared to a previous study where only 29% of the babies were exclusively breastfed.At one and two years old, babies who were not exclusively breastfed had stunting, weighed less and had more infections (diarrhea and URTI).
exclusive breastfeeding ; infants ; stunting

Background: The global pandemic caused by COVID-19, the subsequent improvement in health situation caused by anti- COVID-19 vaccination and the developments in digital technology prompted changes in undergraduate medical education as to content delivery and assessment. This study determined the difference in the performance of first year medical students in traditional face-to face, online and Hyflex teaching strategy. Methods: A non-concurrent cohort study was done to determine the performance of students in three annual subjects in Year 1 undergraduate medical education for school years 2018 to 2023. One-way ANOVA at p=0.001 determined significance of differences of variables. Results: There was no difference in the profile of students as to their sex, pre-medicine course and scores in the National Medical Admission Test (NMAT). The performance in the written examinations in Anatomy and Physiology showed significant difference (p=0.001) when the conduct of examinations was shifted online on an emergency basis. There was no difference (p=0.001) in performance in the laboratory conference sessions in Physiology, as compared to the focused group discussion sessions in Biochemistry and practical examinations in Anatomy. Conclusion Significant difference in the performance of first year medical students was observed only during the emergency shift to online examinations, otherwise the performance was similar in traditional face-to face, online and Hyflex teaching strategy.